A GHOST VISITS NEWTOWN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 35

A GHOST VISITS NEWTOWN.

YOUNG WOMEN AND CHILDREN FRIGHTENED INTO FITS. Havo you seen the ghost—tho real white sheeted ghost of Newtown ? Phis ghost seems to be a genuine article, for have not scores of people seen it, and is seeing not believing all the world over ? After Dr Newman, the appearance of a ghost is welcome, for ghosts never fabricate and have no partisan politics, nor do they want to soil their white robes by contact with the benches of the Parliament House. They have loftier ambitions more etherial aspirations—and when they come at a time such as the present when tho public mind is harassed by wrangling politicians, they are, or ought to be, wolcome. Was there time for fancy to spread her wings and imagination have its fling, many speculations might be put forth and questions asked regarding the appearance of a ghost just at this particular time. Also, what kind or class of ghost it is; as, for instance, whether it bears a title like Sir Walter llidler and Sir Robert Stout, or is only a plain, commonplace member of the misty Democracy over in tho r.-.Uin of the great majority, with no highe • rank than that of a Logan or a Gale in tho legions of they-want-to-get-thore ?

But there is no time for these pregnant reflections, and, besides, it might be very poor courtesy to the ghost, an oil'ence which would be unpardonable. Here, then, let the plain, unvarnished tale bo told -.- MATTER OF FACT. A large number of people at tho southern end of the city have recently been considerably frightened by a ghost-like apparition, which jumps out on passers-by with terrifying suddenness, and even pays visits to peoplo in their houses with a boldness and impudence that are truly astonishing. In fact, to such an extent has the apparition impressed itself upon the minds of tho female portion of the population in that part of tho city that largo numbers of them are afraid to stir out of doors after dark, and should necessity demand their leaving home, tho journey is undertaken in fear and trembling.

Tho " ghost," as it is styled, commences operations soon after dark—it has been seen as early as half-past (> o'clock—and continues to play its idiotic pranks until nearly midnight. Of course, seeing that its appearance is usually the signal for the hurried departure of those who havo had the ill-luck to come across it, no very clear description can be gained of this awe-inspiring spectre, but it is generally described as being dressed in white garments from head to foot, and indulges in a variety of monkey-like movements, while tho facility with which it clears obstructions in the shape of fences, walls, gates, &c, seems to suggest that it is provided with springs specially adapted to enable it to perform such feats. SHE SAW IT FLUTTERINCI AROUND. One young lady, interviewed on the subject by a New Zealand Times reporter, declared that it had boon seen "fluttering round " a certain house off the Adelaide road nearly the whole of one night, and nono of tho members of her family would go out of doors at night for fear of meeting it.

One night some men set themselves tho task of watching for tho apparition in Adolaido road, but wore unable to catch tho faintest glimpse of it, and jot on making enquiries subsequently they found it had been seen by some peoplo outside a house very closo to the scene of their

vigil. Continuing his enquiries, our representative found at a house in Adelaide road a young lady who had actually seen the spectre, and, needless to say, had been considerably frightened. It was on Tuesday night, about a quarter to 9 o'clock, she stated, and as a gamo of cards was in progress the scullery door was opened and the apparition entered and stood looking at them. What did it look like ? Well, of course 1 was too frightened to seo very clearly, but I noticed it was dressed all in white, and appeared to havo on a white suit of clothes and a white cap on its head. What happened then ? One of the gontlemon present made a dash at it, but although he was very quick tho " ghost" had disappeared. Two gentlemen immediately followed it, armed with a rollingpin and tomahawk respectively, but found no opportunity of using these deadly weapons, as tho apparition had made its escape. One young lady who was in the room at the time was

FRIGHT EN - EI) INTO A FIT

Is that all you saw of it ? —Yes, but it went just afterwards to our next door neighbours, and rapped at the door. The occupant of the house, having heard the screams next door, went out with a horsewhip, but was unable to get moro than a glimpse of his uncanny visitor. Further investigation elicits tho information that a littlo later on the same night as tho abovo occurrence happened the "ghost" appeared near tho tram sheds, jumped over tho fonco into tho Cinnamon's gardens and disappeared. Shortly aftorwards ho succeeded in terrifying eight young men who were loitering about near tho sheds. Without the slightest warning ho started up suddenly in tho midst of them, and so startled were thoy by his appoaranco that they at once ran for their lives, nor ventured to look behind them until thoy had run a considerable distance. Not until they had run themselves quite out of breath did they venture to stop and look behind, and by that time nothing could be seen of tho dreaded spectre. The plucky conduct of a young lady living near the Basin Reserve presents a favourable contrast to the cowardice

exhibited by these young men, who were in sufficient numbers'to have put an end to the idiotic pranks of half a dozen " ghosts " such as this one. The youug lady in question, hearing a noise on tho bricks outside the back door, went out to see what was the matter.

Nothing was to be seen, however, although' she could hear a noise, as she described it, similar to that made by the clicking of a pair of scissors. Not caring to leave the affair in that unsatisfactory state, she went to tho front of the house, and was rewarded by SEEING THE "GHOST," which sat in a stooping position with his arms waving up and down. Evidently these baboon-like antics wore designed to frighten any who witnessed them, but for once they failed to effect the desired object. With commendable pluck she made a dash for tho spectre, but he easily and lightly cleared a fence and made good his escape, nor could she afterwards catch sight of him.

On another occasion he crept up behind a woman who was walking along Adelaide road after dark, and suddenly put his hand on her shoulder. The result was that she fainted, and by the time she recovered consciousness her ghostly visitor had disappeared. Again, he was seen by some women one night in a now building near the Basin Reserve, making what is described as a " clicking " noise and uttering a sound like the mew of a kitten. On Thursday night he was seen in Majoribanks street, having evidently decided to somewhat extend the sphero of hv< operations. On Sunday night last he suddenly appeared before two young ladies in Newtown Park, and one of them received such a shock to her nerves that she has had to remain in bed ever since. The apparition has also appeared at Taitville and near Karori, and occasionally pays visits to the various plantations and reserves at tho southern end of the city, evidently with the object of terrifying anyone he may happen to meet in those secluded localities. among: the chinamen. When seen in Adelaide road his usual practice appears to be to jump the fence into the Chinamen's gardens, and so much damage has lie done to the vegetables growing there by his trespassing that one enraged Asiatic threatens to shoot him if ever lie is vouchsafed a chance. Undoubtedly, a most tremendous scarce has been created in the locality where this "bogie" has been carrying on his pranks, and every person interviewed by our representative was only too pleased to give such information as lay in their power with tho hopo that by making it public something could be done to put a stop to the reign of terror that exists.

No one, of course, is so foolish as to believe tho "ghost" is anything but a person of flesh and blood masquerading in spectral attire, but they, nevertheless, entertain a very real fear of him, and largo numbers are afraid to stir from their homes after dark for fear of suddenly meeting this weird apparition. No language can be too strong in which to characterise the action of t!io scoundrel who acts in this manner. The cowardly, mean, despicable wretch who takes a pleasure in terrifying defenceless and nervous women and children deserves to receive a truly exemplary punishment, and it is to be hoped that his career will promptly bo cut short, and that before being handed over to tho polico he will receive such a thrashing as will hvo in his memory as long as he lias breath in his body. The police authorities deny having received any reports on the subject, and, doubtless, from their point of view, they are justified in so denying. The fact, however, remains that for three or four weeks past numbers of people have been terrified nightly by this idiotic and cowardly practical joker, who still continues to carry on his operations in perfect safety. It is no wonder so many cases of burglary and housebreaking occur and the criminals go undetected when a " ghost" can inspire a large section of the community with terror and be

SEEN NIGHTLY BY DOZENS OF I'EOI'LE, and yet not a single policeman has ever as much as caught a glimpse of him. Failing decided action on tho part of the authorities it would be as well if the citizens of Newtown would form themselves into a vigilance committee, and set themselves to capture this disturber of the peace of their wives and children. Some years ago a "ghost" visited tho district, and performed antics similar to those described above. Is this the same " ghost," or is it an entirely new and original spectre intent on emulating the deeds of his notorious predecessor ?

SEARCHING FOR THE GHOST

Tho publicity given by tho New Zealand Times to tho doings of the "ghost" has called into existence numerous bands of youthful ghost-destroyers. One of these parties—a dozen strong whose names, however, will not be handed down to posterity on account of their heroism, set out armed with bricks, sticks, and stones and other engines of destruction of fearful pattern specially contrived for tho annihilation of all invaders from Ghost Land. They marched forth bubbling over with enthusiasm, confident that ere tho witching time of night arrived they would return with the scalp of the misty one. A report had been circulated that tho apparition had been seen in the neighbourhood of Polhill Gully. To the" Gully, therefore, went tho uoblo band, but when they reachod tho darkness of the hills they began to think that thoy might earn fame more easily than hunting for spectres on frosty nights. In order that the phantom should not get an undue advantage they kept in " close order," and unanimously decided to climb a small hill

—no doubt because it was the most unlikely place for a ghost to be found. Suddenly a twig snapped, and the warriors found their hearts where the policemen in "Tho Pirates" found theirs—in their boots. A poor, harmless cow burst through the brushwood, and the earth was rent with tho yells of the daring dozen. In regard to ghosts it has been laid down from time immemorial that wdien you see one the best thing to do is to up sticks and quit. This little party of heroes did not wait for "sticks," they quitted as fast as their legs would carry them. The ammunition and implements of war were left for tho " ghost," and the warriors flew down the Gully into Willis street, and straight for home, sweet home. Was there ever such a case of going out on your "mettle and coining home on your ear?"